Eli Brueggemann had nine of his match-high 32 kills during the fifth game as top-seeded Marshall avoided another upset in the division final.

Last season, the top-seeded Barristers were upset by Venice.

Marshall (14-0) held a 5-3 lead in the third game when its passing game broke down. Fairfax had a seven-point run and won the game.

"They were able to key against our big hitters," Marshall Coach Marji Donatella said. "Then our transition game bit the dust, and we couldn't convert when we were serving."

After losing the fourth game, Marshall adjusted its rotation, creating matchup problems for Fairfax (9-5). With the score tied, 6-6, the Barristers ran off seven unanswered points to take a 13-6 lead in the fifth game.